Lisa sent us an email: "I'm looking for a twin mattress for my crib-hating 16 month-old. It should be sturdy enough to last beyond a year or so on the floor without a box spring, so that we can keep her safe until she learns to sleep in a bed that's raised up off the floor. And it should be as organic as possible without costing a fortune. Any ideas out there? "
Fabulous picture! We have lots of sources for organic mattresses, as long as you are comfortable with a $1700+ price tag! Truly organic mattresses are not cheap. But we have a Mattress Guy (no, really!), and we asked him for his expert opinion.
The Mattress Guy told us that using a mattress without a box spring is not good for the mattress. Apparently, mattresses really do need the support of the box spring, and without it, sag and generally stop being supportive to the sleeper.
That said, if this is to transition from crib to Big Girl Bed, maybe the in-between solution is an organic futon, since futons are meant to be used without a box spring and/or on the floor, and generally run about a thousand dollars less than the organic mattresses we found.
• Organic cotton and wool futon, $389.00
• All cotton futon, $346.00
• 6" and 8" sleeping futons, organic cotton, $432-482.
Drawbacks? Some organic futons require a doctor's note to purchase, since they are not coated with flame retardant. So there is no easy answer, here.
AT:Nursery readers, what would you do? Please let us know in the comments.
Ikea sells nice mattresses at reasonable prices. Not "organic," but I believe they are made with sustainable materials and don't have some of the toxic chemicals used by most american mattress manufacturers.
Regarding the box spring, I think the problems arise if you put a mattress in a bedframe by itself. If you are just planning on putting the mattress directly on the floor, I would think that the floor would provide adequate support. You certainly wouldn't have a problem with a latex or foam mattress directly on the floor.
view Shilli's profile
As long as an organic mattress has a layer of wool, you do not need a doctor's note; wool qualifies as a fire retardant.
We bought a natural latex mattress which is hypoallergenic (dust mites avoid it!); the maker - sleeptek / obasan makes organic mattresses -
http://www.obasan.ca/frames_collection.htm
(we got the Terra Nova 2000)
view mschatelaine's profile
It's only innerspring mattresses that need the support of a box spring - latex mattresses do not.
I second the Ikea recommendation. Their mattresses aren't organic but they are free of the awful chemicals (PBDEs) that are used in the US as flame retardants. I bought one of their higher end latex mattresses for my daughter and it's been great.
If you want to splurge on something completely organic, I recommend Savvy Rest (www.savvyrest.com). Their twin mattresses in natural latex start at $1050 and are simply the best mattresses money can buy in my opinion. The casing is made of pure organic wool which acts as a natural flame retardant (no doctor note needed).
view stef's profile
Why not just put your crib mattress on the floor until she's ready for a toddler/regular bed? Alternatively, just buy a toddler/regular bed and put up a guard so she won't fall.
view sofia1's profile
I think most toddler beds take a crib mattress. And if it's just to bridge the time until she's ready for her Big Girl bed, just get a cheap toddler bed, paint it a fun color if you want to jazz it up and throw the crib mattress on it.
Check out this one by at Amazon . . . http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-86621-Nantucket-Toddler-Cot/dp/B000FTLF14/ref=pd_bbs_6/104-0292982-0867136?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1179531429&sr=8-6
view Birdy's profile
I agree with Sofia 1, but we decided to skip the toddler bed and go straight to the twin (bunk bed); seemed like an un-needed step.
view Jon_B's profile
you are philanthropically speaking about a child that needs to crawl, walk, climb and attempt to prove you incapable of such throughout your whole life.
'listen' and 'silent'.
besides... "supportive to the sleeper" has nothing to do with beds and everything to do with flexibility in growth.
view ion/?/'s profile
That's very informative, I still have to think about these prices though. I want the best for my kid and organic mattresses sound like a pretty good option, I just wish they were more price accessible.
view gordman's profile